Vale legendary photographer and director John Ashenhurst: If there are legends in Australia John was certainly up there near the top
Many in the Asia-Pacific advertising and production industry will be saddened to hear of the passing of legendary Australian photographer and director John Ashenhurst, who passed away in his sleep last week in Coffs Habour. Legendary Australian director Peter Cherry, now based in the US, contacted CB to pay this tribute to his friend of many years.
John was born in India where his father was in the Army.
John worked as a young man in Melbourne and worked with famous photographer/director Patrick Russel. At that time John was a lettering artist, but with Patrick he soon became a photographer and moved to Sydney (as did Patrick) to become one of Australia’s great photographers and eventually a Director.
In that time he did a lot of work with his friend Ian Batey (Batey Ads) where they both created Singapore Girls (Singapore Airlines) where John both photographed the ads and shot the commercial as Director DOP.
Singapore Airlines became a huge success and soon was the premium airline in Asia. And that made John a big name also.
It wasn’t long before he refurbished (beautifully) a boat in Sydney called Kintail then sailed around the world with his wife and kids, occasionally returning to direct TV commercials.
He then joined Angela Bray’s original “Film Business” and pretty much became a full time Director, doing a of work all over the world with Angela as his Producer.
Angela then created Independent films with the help of myself as a Director. It was a little later when John started being a Director of Photographer for me.
John and I were old mates and a great team. We also travelled the world for over ten years doing work with Megan Gale (Omnicom) GM, Ford, Coke and many other clients for Australia, Singapore, US, Italy, China, Thailand and others I forget.
John and I retired ten years ago, I moved back from NY to Scottsdale in Arizona. And John went to Coffs Harbour, sold his home, and started working on another boat which wasn’t quite completed at the time of his death. Again it was also a beautiful boat, and John (in his perfectly art directed work shed) worked on it almost everyday.
John had a hereditary heart problem and recently had a pacemaker put in. Unfortunately it was too late and after a few weeks John died peacefully sleeping on his boat. So in many ways he died doing what he loved most.
If there are legends in Australia John was certainly up there near the top, he “felt” the camera, in fact he used his old Canon as a light meter for film, and just knew what worked on digital film. Even John’s happy snaps on location were perfectly framed and perfectly exposed (always a stop under)
Angela Bray, who in shock, said to me that she always thought John was immortal. He sort of was, he always looked the same, never changed visually much, and his attitude was always of a young guy. He was immortal when you think about his legacy. Certainly he was a Legend.
Finally we had a dream, and that dream was a particular restaurant on the water near a castle in Naples. We were going to meet there and stay all day eating and drinking. Maybe one day we will, sadly not in this lifetime.
12 Comments
Nice tribute Pete.
John’s unique use of light definitely set him apart from others of our generation.
He helped build the creative reputation of many.
Thanks Andy. Your comments about John are so correct.
Few can claim to have created one of the greatest advertising campaigns of all-time.
But John could.
His unique, exquisite skills were integral to the incredible success of Singapore Airlines’ ‘Singapore Girl’ campaign.
Often copied, but never bettered – just like John.
Vale John Ashenhurst.
This is sad news indeed, and a nice tribute Pete thanks.
I was fortunate enough to work with John and Pete on a number of projects and John was always the steady, calming influence as everyone raced around trying to get that last set-up of the day shot.
Always professional, always patient, always giving of his knowledge and experience.
A gentle man and a great storyteller.
My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Lovely words Peter.
I have fond memories of John as I was lucky enough to watch him create his magic while I was working at Independent Films.
His use of mirrors and light was masterful. His smile was bright, he was always kind and rain hail or shine, he’d be in his flip flops.
Vale John.
I worked for John in the early 70’s developing and printing his B&W photos. It was a great place to work and he taught me so much. He also tested out a Leica M3 for me and encouraged me to buy it. Thank you John.
John Asho.
I join a long list of very sad people who really loved and admired John. Almost beyond words. We spoke every month or so, never about advertising, but only boats, woodworking and getting old. I was 6 months older.
I first met John in Singapore when Rod and I had the SQ account and visited Batey regularly. Kintail was almost ready and John, Will and the kids were off.
It’s right Peter paid first tribute to John because they were the best ‘eyes’ in the business. And Peter nailed it beautifully.
I wrote to a Doctor friend tonight who also got to love and respect John in his trips to Tasmania and I described John as being the only person I had ever met who never ever compromised on anything, when attempting to do his best. Every minute he ever spent was directed totally focused on giving his best, and doing it the way he saw it.
Our friendship wasn’t just with advertising, we shared a love of boats and wood-working Huon pine. Again he was the best. He never spent a penny on himself but spent a fortune on Lee Neilson planes, thicknessers and the best tools money can buy He rang me in Tassie about 15 years ago and said “Cowboy Crane” in Strahan has just got a two thousand year old Huon log and if you buy a few slabs I’ll make you a table.” I bought four at $500 each. Over 8 feet long and two inches thick. John spent two years making me the table and it is unbelievably beautiful.
He came to Tassie for the bi annual wooden boat show and stayed with us and of course all our neighbours loved him.
I visited him in Coffs to see his work on “Nugget” his Ketch a couple of times and spoke to him just before and after his by-pass.
He said he’d never finish “Nugget” and had decided to sell it as its draught wouldn’t let him get it into Lake Macquarie where his brother lives and he had decided to put down the anchor. Originally, it was to be Kettering near the Huon Valley in Tasmania.
John would have been 84 on Jan 7.
A truly great legend. But you would never have got him to a legends lunch.
Hi Sorry to hear of Johns passing. I have some 35mm film that I think he directed and I am looking for a home for it as we cant afford to store it any longer… can someone assist.
ASHENHURST + HUGHES FILMS Wildbear Project General Storage “ASHENHURST + HUGHES FILMS – 35 mm Neg
ASHENHURST + HUGHES FILMS – 35 mm Neg
ASHENHURST + HUGHES FILMS – 35 mm Neg
ASHENHURST + HUGHES FILMS – 35 mm Neg ” “Deep Spring – Rolls 24-27 + 35-37
SIA Various – Can 5
SIA Various – Can 7
SIA Various – Can 1”
Hiya- I would really like that- I’m his daughter Sophia. You can reach me on that above email address.
Thanks
Hello Dick,
I’m sorry to hear the sad news of your friend John.
But if possible would you share any knowledge of his yacht Nugget as I may be interested in continuing his great work he has done over the years. I would appreciate very much if you can do so…
Thanks
Richard
Hi Richard, the boat is listed online. If you want to give me a call on 0438 188 391 I can give you the details. Moored in Coffs Harbour.
Cheers
Leah A
There are many legends in this industry, but none more legendary that John Ashenhurst.
To quote the Apple Think different, campaign ‘Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the round pegs in the square holes, the ones who see think differently’
A true legend both behind and in front of the camera.